IRS to Auction Paulsen’s Winery

The Internal Revenue Service has seized comedian Pat Paulsen’s winery and the village of Asti, which he owns, because he owes back taxes, a newspaper reported today.

The vineyard property and village in Sonoma County’s wine country will be sold at a Sept. 13 auction. The sale is to recover $277,000 in federal income taxes for 1985 and 1986 owed by Paulsen and his first wife, Jane, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat said.

The vineyard property covers 55 acres and includes Jane Paulsen’s home and a winery. The village--a separate parcel of land--includes the Paulsen Vineyards tasting room, three houses, a delicatessen, a wine museum and a water tower.

The holdings were listed for sale three years ago for $2.5 million after the couple decided to end their 28-year marriage.

Paulsen, 63, the deadpan comic and perennial presidential candidate, was in Los Angeles shooting a commercial Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.